Messages

46

6D Sample Images / Re: Anything shot with a 6D

« on: May 05, 2013, 08:03:57 AM »

Really love my 6D.  I find a huge difference processing images from the 6D as compared with the 5DII


Hello, Spring by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

47

Reviews / Re: Review - The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS

« on: May 05, 2013, 08:02:37 AM »

Here's a quick shot taken yesterday of the new spring leaves.  The 70-300L continues to surprise me by the quality of the defocused areas.  To me this looks like it was taken with a larger aperture lens.


Hello, Spring by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

48

Portrait / Re: We, The Photographers......Self Portaits..a Who's Who on CR

« on: May 03, 2013, 08:09:39 AM »

Here's another that I took with the remote functionality of the 6D (iPad trigger).


The Man with the Canon by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

49

6D Sample Images / Re: Anything shot with a 6D

« on: May 03, 2013, 08:06:59 AM »

Here's another selfie taken with the 6D's remote functionality that I used as a lead in to a recent article:


The Man with the Canon by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

50

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon EOS Rebel SL1 in Stock at B&H Photo

« on: May 02, 2013, 06:40:24 PM »

That's actually a lower price point than what I expected.  The initial reports had as MSRP of $1099, I thought.  I wouldn't want it with the kit lens, but a body only of $699 would be pretty tempting for a little travel camera/teleconverter.

51

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

« on: May 02, 2013, 08:53:43 AM »

Magnolias in bloom

Love the color of the bokeh area in that first photo.  Lovely

52

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

« on: May 02, 2013, 07:26:33 AM »

Two Farthings by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

53

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 02, 2013, 07:25:55 AM »

Two Farthings by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

6D + 135L + very close

54

Reviews / Re: Review - Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

« on: April 28, 2013, 01:32:35 PM »

The idea of adjusting in several places sound very interesting. But with the software not controlling the lens while adjusting, not even being in the camera, how do one know how much need to be adjusted without making 200 tries?? What means -1 or +3 How much distance is that? How you know what number to put in there?

That is my concern.  It seems like a lot of trial and error, and shooting charts many, many times.  Fine if it is the only lens in your kit, but seems like a pretty huge investment of time. And what if, like many of us, you shoot multiple bodies?  I like the concept of the finite focus control; I'm less crazy about the time investment.  Doing AFMA on a few bodies is already a fair investment of time (I do it manually). 

One plus, however, is that unlike the slow, multi-step task of making each change in the body, the software at least allows for quick adjustments.  It would be great if the hub came with a FoCal type software that could automate part of the process.

55

Abstract / Re: Beautiful bokeh! Let me see yours!

« on: April 28, 2013, 08:49:51 AM »

100mm f/2 on 5D Mark II, quite a bokehlicious combo.

Nice.  That's one lens I haven't shot, although between the 85mm f/1.8, the 100L, and the 135L already in my bag, I probably won't be getting it.  Still, I've heard nothing but good about it.

56

Abstract / Re: Beautiful bokeh! Let me see yours!

« on: April 28, 2013, 08:05:02 AM »

Here's an odd source for great bokeh, but what this shot from the 70-300L?


Slither by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

57

Abstract / Re: Beautiful bokeh! Let me see yours!

« on: April 28, 2013, 08:03:56 AM »

For unique, stylish bokeh it is pretty hard to top the Helios 44 line.  Here's a couple from the Helios 44-4:


Glorious Imperfections by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr


Out with the Old; In with the New by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

Manual focus only on EOS bodies (or any body), but if you've got time, it produces some really unique results.

58

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

« on: April 28, 2013, 08:00:43 AM »

Spring's here - the 100L starts getting more use this time of year for me... (This whole bluebell plant is less than 3 inches [5cm] tall).  This is wide open and handheld


Baby Bluebell by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

59

Software & Accessories / Re: Screw-on ND filter for 16-35 II

« on: April 27, 2013, 08:00:15 PM »

Maybe a little off the subject, but I just don't get how someone can spend so much money on a Canon L lens like the 16-35 II & then buy the cheapest filter they can find to put on the lens! I mean I like a great deal just as much as the nest guy, but at what cost to the IQ. The whole point of spending the extra money & buying an L is for the superior IQ. Why wouldn't you do the same & spend the extra on the filter that you put in front of that expensive L glass??? It makes no sense to me.

A valid point, but as a person who normally uses good quality (I typically use the higher levels of Hoya filters - Pro1D or equivalent), I can certainly attest to the fact that the advantages over premium filters (beyond the better Hoya level) are going to be imperceptible to almost every eye.  Just because a more expensive product exists doesn't mean that I blindly buy it.  In the case of the Haida, I did the research, looked at a lot of pictures taken with it, then took a flyer on it.  I had a great experience with the first, enough so that I bought a second in another filter size that I have been equally pleased with.  In fact, if I'm not mistaken, I think Haida is actually using the same glass manufacturer as B+W.  Because of that, I have not problem recommending them to someone else.

BTW, I tried a circular polarizer filter from Haida when I switched to an 82mm filter size.  Didn't like it at all - not because of the optics, but because I found the rotating ring very stiff and virtually unusable in the field.  The seller replaced it with a second copy, but I wasn't crazy about it, either. I ended up spending the money on a Hoya Pro-1D filter which I'm perfectly happy with.  I certainly won't recommend that Haida CP to someone, but the ND filters I've had great success with.

60

Software & Accessories / Re: Screw-on ND filter for 16-35 II

« on: April 25, 2013, 01:15:59 PM »

Wow! Lovely images from Barrfly and Dustin! I am very very interested in the Haida's ND now, and for $80 only? That sounds like a real steal! I know ND tends to produce some form of color cast, but as long as they are very minimal it should be ok and can be handled in pp. So Dustin, have you noticed any significant color cast from the Haida's?

I would say there is a slight (and I mean very slight) magenta shift, but it is definitely pretty negligible.  I have been really impressed with how clean the images come out.  I haven't noticed any color shift in my experience with the ND64, but I've also only used it a couple of times.  LE's don't work as well in winter here because no water is moving